STORY Signs Comedy Director Ron Lazzeretti

September 21, 2017
by Screenmag

Award-winning comedy director Ron Lazzeretti has joined STORY. A native Chicagoan, Lazzeretti has broad experience as a commercial director and agency creative director with credits including Chevy, Coors Light, KFC, A&W Root Beer and Taco Bell. He has also enjoyed success as an independent filmmaker, writer, producer and musician.

“Ron in a phenomenal talent with incredible energy and a genius for comedy,” said STORY Executive Producer Mark Androw. “He’s been doing great work for years, and we’re thrilled to bring him to STORY.”

Lazzeretti also leads Hog Butcher, a creative services company made up of comedy writers and improv artists from Chicago's potent comedy scene.

Lazzeretti got his start as a director while working as a creative at Chicago agency Eisaman, Johns & Laws. He went on to co-found the production company Two Olives and also directed through Chicago-based Spoke Films.

Outside advertising, Lazzeretti is co-creator and director of the popular web series THE GRAVEYARD. It stars David Pasquesi and Christian Stolte as a custodian and security guard who share revelations, epiphanies and confessions “while the rest of the world sleeps.” The Chicago Tribune called it “an existential gem.” “I like it for its simplicity,” he said. “I’m a huge fan of simplicity. Whether it’s a fifteen second commercial or long-form video, I love a story that’s simply told.”

Lazzeretti wrote and directed SOMETHING BETTER SOMEWHERE ELSE¸ an independent film that the late critic Roger Ebert called “delightful.” He also wrote and produced THE MERRY GENTLEMAN, starring Michael Keaton and Kelly MacDonald, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned rave reviews from the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and other outlets.

In discussing his move to STORY, Lazzeretti said that it provides him a platform to broaden the scope of his commercial work.

“Mark Androw is a smart executive producer who gets what I do and appreciates what I bring to the process,” he said. “He knows the business, has enjoyed a lot of success and does it the right way. I’m glad to have this opportunity.”